File for papers or cards.



N0. 808,225. PATENTED 13130.26, 1905, E. W. WOODRUPF.

FILE FOR PAPBRS'OR CARDS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.10,1905.

Ibiza/61:1 am:

kjaifim' EDMUND W. WOODRUFF, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

FILE FOR PAPERS OR CARDS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 26, 1905.

Application filed February 10, 1905. Serial No. 245,065.

. ers or files, and is adapted for usein documentfilcs, vertical files, card-indexes, and the like. Hereinafter the invention is described and illustrated as embodied in a document-file.

More particularly, it relates to such devices as comprise a movable and tiltable follower or file board, which is operated and secured by a toggle-clamp.

The invention consists in an improved toggle-clamp, improved means for supporting the same, and in the parts and combinations thereof hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical effect without limiting my improvements in their useful applications to the particular construction which for purposes of illustration I have delineated.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a document-file embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the toggle-clamp and a portion of the follower in the inclined or open position. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section at the lower part of the clamp on line III, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the support for the front end of the rod. Fig. 5 is a detail in plan view.

Referring to the drawings,A indicates the body of the file-box, having a bottom 1, a front 2, and sides 3. The bottom has a longitudinal space or groove 4, in which is mounted a rod 5 in such manner that the follower may be moved along and be supported by said rod either in its inclined or in its clamping position at any point in the boX. The supporting means for the rod are preferably as follows: 6 is a bearing-plate situated in a space 7 at the front end of the bottom 1 between the bottom and the lower part of the front 2. To aid in holding the plate 6 in place, it may have projections 8, to be driven into the material of the bottom, or it may fit the space 7 so tightly as to be secured for temporary purposes until the front 2 is applied permanently over said space. The said plate has a bearing-opening 9, in which rests the front end of the rod 5, the latter being held from rearward movement by a head 10 or its equivalent, which engages the front of the plate 6. The lower part of the front2opposes the end of the rod and keeps it from forward movement. In case the bearing 9 is a slot open at the top, as shown, the rod is held from upward movement by a shoulder 11 on the front 2. The outer or rear end of the rod. is held in a bearing-plate 12, which has a bearing 13 for the rod and, by preference, one or more horizontal flanges 14, which engage the rear end of the bottom 1 to strengthen the same where it is weakened by the groove 4 and to aid in keeping the plate 12 in place. As illustrated, the lower flange 14 is inserted in a horizontal slot extending across the groove 4 and the other flange engages over the rear end of the bottom 1. The plate is secured to the bottom by projections, driven in, as described in connection with the plate 6, or preferably by nails 15, driven into the bottom through holes 16 in the plate in laterally-inclined directions, as shown in Fig. 5.

B is the follower, provided with a toggleclamp C, arranged to slide on the rod 5 and serving both to support and to guide the follower.

16 is that member of the clamp which immediately carries the follower. The latter is attached by a bracket 17, which passes around the part 16 and is tightly pressed against the follower by clenched nails 18. The member 16 is composed of two parts held together by the bracket 17 and having their lower ends spread apart to form ear-like bearings 19. The latter are connected by a rivet or. pivot 20 with the forward end of a horizontal clamp member 21, which lies beneath the rod 5.

22 and 23 are the toggle members proper pivoted together at 24. One of them, preferably the lower, is extended to form an operating-handle 25 and may be called the toggle-lever, while the other, in this instance the upper, may be termed the toggle-link. This link is pivoted at 26 to the upper part of the member 16, and the lever is pivoted at 27 to the rear part of the member 21. The pivot 27 passes across above the rod 5 and is adapted to bear down on the same.

While the various parts of the clamp may be castings of proper shape, I prefer to construct them of sheet metal bent into the shapes shown, the parts 21, 22, and 23 being by preference U-shaped in cross-section.

The holder is to be manipulated and used in a known manner. The part at 28 of the lever forms a stop to support the follower in the inclined position shown in Fig. 2. When the follower is to be pressed against the papers in the file, the handle 25 is pressed forward. This causes the toggle members 22 23 to straighten into line. The pivot 27 bears on the top of the rod, and the follower is elevated into a vertical position. This latter position is maintained until the toggle is released by the front end of the link 21 hearing against the under side of the rod. At 29 the member 16 is cut out a little to allow the pivot 24 to pass across the imaginary straight line which joins the pivots 26 and 27, so that the usual locking action of a toggle may take place.

What I claim is.

1. In a holder for papers and the like the combination of the box or receptacle, the rod, the follower and a toggle-clamp supporting the follower, said clamp having the horizontal link 21 beneath the rod, substantially as set forth.

2. In a device of the character described the combination, with the supporting-rod and follower, of a toggle-clamp having a member arranged beneath the rod and provided with a pivot above the rod which rests on the latter and connects said member with the togglepieces.

3. In a paper or card holder the combination, with the receptacle,rod and follower, of aclamp for supporting and actuating the follower, said clamp being connected with the rod by a horizontal U-shaped member arranged beneath the rod and having upwardly-extending flanges at the sides of the same, and by pivots which unite said flanges with the other parts of the clamp.

4. In a filing-receptacle the combination of the boX having the space or recess 7 the plate 6 having the bearing 9 and fixed in said space, the rod fitted in said bearing and having the head 10 and covered by the front of the box,

the clamp on the rod and a follower carried by said clamp.

5. In a filing-receptacle the combination of the follower, the clamp, the rod for supporting the-clamp and follower, and the bearingplate 12 for the end of the rod, the receptacle having the groove 4 and a horizontal slot across the groove, and the plate having horizontal flanges one of which engages within said slot and the other of which engages the receptacle above the groove 4.

6. In a holder for papers and the like the combination of a box or receptacle, a rod held in said receptacle, a follower, and a toggleclamp connecting the follower with the rod, one of the engaging means of said clamp with the rod being formed by a pivot of the toggle, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a holder for papers and the like the combination of abox or receptacle, a rod held in said receptacle, a follower, and a toggleclamp connecting the follower with the rod, said clamp having a pivoted link which extends along the sides of the rod from a bearing-point on the under side of the rod outward to abearing-point on the upper side of the rod, substantially as set forth.

8. In a file for papers, cards and the like, the combination of a receptacle, a follower, a toggle-clamp having amember arranged edgewise to the follower, a bracket-like piece inclosing said member and clamping the same to the follower, and means on the receptacle for engagement by the toggle-clamp and with which the same has a sliding connection, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereofIafliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDMUND I/V. IVOODRUFF.

\Vitnesses:

H. N. Low, WM. M. CLARK. 

